LESBOS, GREECELesbos
is just one of the many sunny, tranquil islands of Greece. It
would probably be a good place to spend some time but we only stopped
there briefly. It has been in the news lately due to all the
Middle East refugees landing there.

Lesbos from our ship

The church towers over the town

KUSADASI (EPHESUS), TURKEYSettled
in 3,000 BC, Ephesus was not to be missed -- the Greek temple,
the ampitheater (where I slipped on the marble steps but fortunately
didn't break anything), the Virgin Mary's house, and the Library of
Celsus. Ephesus was once a port but it is now several miles
from the sea.

The house where the Virgin Mary lived

The amphitheater where St. Paul preached

Library of Celsus

Art work from centuries past

Columns once crowned with statues

MYKONOS, GREECEThis
was my third trip to Mykonos and it has greatly changed in 50
years. The town is brilliant white. I was amazed at all the
new homes now scattered over the hills. We were only there one day
but I remember the bustling night life.

Windmills but no wind while we were there

The city is so very clean

Flowers and handicrafts of brilliant colors

The main town on the island

New houses everywhere

CRETE, GREECECrete
is the largest of the Greek Islands and is the site of many of the
Greek myths. We took a tour around the city but after non-stop
touring the week before, we didn't venture very far.

Another cruise ship in the harbor

The Venetian fortress is the city's symbol

Iraklion is a bustling city

Everywhere folks were relaxing and chatting

Our Crete tourbus

PARIS, FRANCEParis
does get more beautiful every year. We spent a week there and saw
things I had missed on earlier trips. We had a tour of the Opera
and wandered around there for hours. We went to the top of the
Arc de Triumph which was fortunate since the Eiffel Tower was
closed. We cruised down the Seine. We had plenty of time to
explore the Louvre and seveal other museums. We had an express
pass for everything which saved us hours in long lines.

Is there any more recognized symbol in the world?

The Opera Garnier is stupendous

Arc de Triomphe

Entrance to the Louvre

Inside the Louvre

Basilique du Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre

Enrique met John-Paul 23rd and Mother Theresa
at a wax museum

The sarcophagus of Napoleon

DISNEYLAND PARISEnrique
had never been to Disneyland so we spent a day there. It
was a lenthy train ride there and it was packed on the return but well
worth it. I say that Disneyland is really for adults and we
proved it that day. The Space Mountain Mission 2 is known as the
fastest one of all the Disney parks and we were almost unable to walk
after tackling it.

The castle is the centerpiece of the park

Yes, someone is VERY happy

This could be Main Street USA :)

Enrique cools off under a constant rainshower

A balloon ride above the park

Walt Disney Studios Park

Yes, we saw Mickey, Minnie and Donald Duck

The park closing is worth the wait

PALACE OF VERSAILLESFinally
I got to see the Palace of Versailles. It was built by the Sun
King, Louis XIV, and is opulent beyond believing. The Hall of
Mirrors is dazzling and the huge paintings of the French battles reveal
an ego larger than Donald Trump's.